Vasant Kanetkar


Vasant Shankar Kanetkar was an Indian Marathi-language playwright and novelist from Maharashtra.
He was born in the town of Rahimatpur in Satara District, Maharashtra. His father, Shankar Keshav Kanetkar, was a poet who wrote poetry under the pen name Kavi Girish and was a founding member of a circle of poets named Ravikiran Mandal. Vasant Kanetkar was educated in Pune and Sangli. After passing M.A. exam in 1948 from Sangli, he joined as a lecturer in Nashik in 1950. He received wide admiration from the audience after his play 'Raigadala Jevha Jag Yete'. He kept the Marathi commercial theatre vibrant and live for more than two decades. Five of his plays received best play award of the year given by Maharashtra State Government. In 1966, Kanetkar received a Filmfare Award for Best Story for the Hindi movie Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool, which was an adaptation of Ashroonchi Zhali Phule. Kanetkar received a Padma Shri award in 1992 for his literary accomplishments.

List of plays

The following is a partial list of Kanetkar's plays:Devanche Manorajya Mala kahi Sangaychay! Beiman Vedyache Ghar Unhat Prema, Tujha Ranga Kasa? Ashroonchi Zhali Phule Raigadala Jewha Jag Yete Himalayachi Sawali Wishawrukshachi Chhaya Lekure Udanda Jahali Premachya Gawa Jawe Jithe Gawatas Bhale PhutatatSuryachi PilleIthe Oshalala Mrutyu Matsyagandha Akhercha sawal Rang Umalatya Manache Kasturimrug Choo Mantar Fakta Ekach Karan Garudzep Mira Madhura Nal Damayanti Mansala Dankha Maticha Ek Roop-Anek Rang Wadal Mansalataya Madanbadha Sonchapha Aakasmithi Sukha Pahata Tuza Tu Wadhavi Raja Mala Kahi Sangayachaya Ithe Oshalala Mrityu Gharat Phulala Parijat Goshta Janmantarichi Gaath Aahe Mazyashi Kadhitari Kothetari Pankhana Odh Pawalanchi Gaganbhedi
One Act Plays Vyasancha Kayakalpa Gad Gela Pan Sinha Jaga Zala Anandibai Anibani Puka Ratat Madrashine Kela Marathi Zende-Patil Maqhavidyalayat Divyasamor Andher
Kanetkar's plays covered a wide range of subject matters. His favorite subject matters were the life of warrior-king Shivaji from Maharashtra, the cultural reformation in late nineteenth-century Maharashtra, human relationships, and the decline of morality in post-independence India.

List of Novels

Kanetkar wrote four novels.Ghar Pankha Porka
  • ''Tethe Chal Raani''

Recognition

In 1970, Kanetkar received a Filmfare Award for Best Story for the Hindi movie Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool, the story having been an adaptation of his Marathi play Ashrunchi Jhali Phule.
He presided over Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in 1988.
Kanetkar received a Padma Shri award in 1992 for his literary accomplishments.